STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. — Workers at Sterling Heights Assembly Plant and United Auto Workers president Shawn Fain rallied in metro Detroit Thursday, threatening a strike against Stellantis.
This comes as the Toledo Jeep Complex has been dark after being temporarily shut down since Sept. 16.
As of now, it's clear some auto workers are not happy with how the company is operating.
"Keep the promise, keep the promise,” UAW members chanted at the rally.
UAW leaders claim the automaker is backtracking from commitments to build the Dodge Durango in Detroit and to reopen the Belvedere Assembly Plant in Illinois.
"If Stellantis doesn't honor these commitments, it will impact workers throughout the entire Stellantis network and also the entire supply chain," Fain said.
In Toledo, thousands of Stellantis workers work at the Jeep Assembly Complex where the Jeep Wrangler and the Gladiator are both produced.
But that production has stopped with the temporary shutdown.
While Fain didn't mention this shutdown during his speech Thursday, he did mention the recent death of Toledo Jeep employee Antonio Gaston.
"That's what happens when you cut staffing to the bone and you force people to work endless hours," Fain said. "It's not safe, it's not fair, it's not right and Carlos Tavares is driving the company to the ground."
Fain spent his time at the podium taking aim at Stellantis, accusing them of not holding up their end of the bargain.
However, Stellantis responded to Fain shortly after the speech by sending a fact-check sheet on what he said.
In the letter, Stellantis accused Fain of "further spreading misinformation to the members he represents."
The letter had this comment from COO Carlos Zarlenga:
Let me be crystal clear, we have abided by and will continue to abide by the 2023 collective bargaining agreement. It is in everyone’s best interest to have a healthy company that can compete in a global marketplace. This is a time for us to work together, not against each other.
Fain said though, the UAW will do whatever they feel needs to be done.
"If it takes a fight, we're willing to fight," Fain said. "If it takes a strike, we're willing to strike."
WTOL 11 spoke to a couple of Jeep workers who didn't want to go on camera but said they're on unemployment because of the shutdown.
But from what we know, there is no plan for a strike vote in Toledo at the Jeep Assembly Complex.